USER888
New Member
.
Last edited:
For Singlehanders / Shorthanded - how important is headroom to you?
- Thread starter USER888
- Start date
stevebrassett
Well-Known Member
I like being able to stand up.
'nuff said.
'nuff said.
SteveTibbetts
Well-Known Member
I needed to change boats if I wanted Mrs T to sail with me for anything other than a daysail. I did, so we did.
PabloPicasso
Well-Known Member
almost
I can almost stand up in mine. Can get a sore back if i'm not careful how i move sopmetimes. In lumpy weather the confines make it easier to move about anyway.
Most time is spent on deck. Below is usually in a bunk.
5'8'' would be adequate for me. If yea are 6'6'' then maybe not
I can almost stand up in mine. Can get a sore back if i'm not careful how i move sopmetimes. In lumpy weather the confines make it easier to move about anyway.
Most time is spent on deck. Below is usually in a bunk.
5'8'' would be adequate for me. If yea are 6'6'' then maybe not
zikzik
Well-Known Member
Well I haven't lived aboard for any length of time, but I sail nearly everywhere singlehanded as SWMBO is not very keen. I sailed an Etap 21i for nearly 5 years and my Contessa 26 for the last year. I can't stand up in either of course.
Occasional back ache reminds it would be nice to stand up now and then but it doesn't bother me much.
Occasional back ache reminds it would be nice to stand up now and then but it doesn't bother me much.
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
I'm not tall so headroom has never been a problem.
What I do like is a good view so I can sail from inside, so I go for the Deck Saloon style boat.
My previous was a Swin Ranger 22ft . . . My current is a Colvic Countess 33ft
What I do like is a good view so I can sail from inside, so I go for the Deck Saloon style boat.
My previous was a Swin Ranger 22ft . . . My current is a Colvic Countess 33ft
richardabeattie
Well-Known Member
Lack of headroom is a pain in the neck.
Spuddy
Well-Known Member
I've lived on my skinny and low boat for the odd 6 months here and there. The headroom is not a bother so long as I can manage to elevate myself enough to get trousers on.
Main problem about my small interior volume is keeping the wet out.
Main problem about my small interior volume is keeping the wet out.
Pleiades
Well-Known Member
Max or Min Headroom.
On passage under sail I don't think headroom is an issue - if its nice out you are on deck or in the cockpit most of the time or asleep which is most often done horizontally. If its rough I do not stand up much down below or I fall over - even when sober - unless I swing from grab handle to grab handle - (if its a proper boat fitted with such things!) and as its all leany over one is not normally worried about impersonating a Guardsman at attention.
In port/on mooring/at anchor however I think headroom is important in that it allows you to walk about down below which for me is a crucial factor in being able to live in comfort. Hence my Hurley 22 which took us all over the western approaches in all weathers was a great vessel -
but one could only stand up in the companionway under the cover of the sprayhood. That happens to be where the sink was so at least one could stand up whilst washing the dishes. So I would not say she was comfortable to live on but as with similar sized boats a good sprayhood can make all the difference in wet weather - unless you are a pixie in which case you have loads of room even on tippytoes
Robin
Pleiades of Birdham
MXWQ5
On passage under sail I don't think headroom is an issue - if its nice out you are on deck or in the cockpit most of the time or asleep which is most often done horizontally. If its rough I do not stand up much down below or I fall over - even when sober - unless I swing from grab handle to grab handle - (if its a proper boat fitted with such things!) and as its all leany over one is not normally worried about impersonating a Guardsman at attention.
In port/on mooring/at anchor however I think headroom is important in that it allows you to walk about down below which for me is a crucial factor in being able to live in comfort. Hence my Hurley 22 which took us all over the western approaches in all weathers was a great vessel -
but one could only stand up in the companionway under the cover of the sprayhood. That happens to be where the sink was so at least one could stand up whilst washing the dishes. So I would not say she was comfortable to live on but as with similar sized boats a good sprayhood can make all the difference in wet weather - unless you are a pixie in which case you have loads of room even on tippytoes
Robin
Pleiades of Birdham
MXWQ5
fishermantwo
Well-Known Member
I went from a quarter tonner to a half tonner with headroom. The difference is amazing. I could live with out it but it really is worth it. Things like climbing into a wet suit or even just getting dressed, so much easier.
causeway
Well-Known Member
Cute kid!
I've been living on my Vega for a few months and it's got almost standing height, i'm mostly sitting anyway when aboard!
It would however be nice to be able to 'step' out of bed in the morning or be able to pee standing up (when in port obv).
I would factor these things into my next purchase, for sure!
I've been living on my Vega for a few months and it's got almost standing height, i'm mostly sitting anyway when aboard!
It would however be nice to be able to 'step' out of bed in the morning or be able to pee standing up (when in port obv).
I would factor these things into my next purchase, for sure!
Caer Urfa
Well-Known Member
Hi
I think you need a Colvic Watson Motor Sailer !!
Seriously on my CW 23'-6" I have a good 6'-4" headroom down below the full 8'-9" beam in the forecabin, heads and saloon and stay aboard regularly and with the usual modern comforts fridge,full oven, heating etc.
In the wheelhouse there is even more headroom as you can see from the last picture below.
I also sail almost 98% of the time single handed all offshore/coastal/cruising trips and all year round.
Mike
Searush
Well-Known Member
We had 2 adults & 2 kids in a Westery 25 as a first boat with about 5'9" under the main hatch. SR seemed enormous when we first got her with over 6' headroom in 2 out of 3 cabins. Aft cabin is sitting headroom only, which is manageable, but awkward for getting dressed.
As already said, probably not that important on passage, but makes a huge difference in harbour or at anchor. But it all depends on budget, low headroom boats are often much cheaper & many have excellent sailing qualities due to the lower cabin windage.
Ya pays ya money & takes ya choice!
As already said, probably not that important on passage, but makes a huge difference in harbour or at anchor. But it all depends on budget, low headroom boats are often much cheaper & many have excellent sailing qualities due to the lower cabin windage.
Ya pays ya money & takes ya choice!
causeway
Well-Known Member
Different era... different expectations, i'd reckon.
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
I don't see that single handed/short handed is relevant - standing up is always an advantage but not available in smaller boats so you pay for the added height.
cornell_b
Active Member
always nice to be able to stand up to put my pants on....
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Depends on your age, expectations and what you can afford. 30+ years ago I lived for a year on my Eventide 26 with 5'6" headroom - and I am 6'3". Not chosen for living aboard, but that is what I had, so that is what I used. Still have the boat and still spend nights aboard, single handed when the lack of space is not really an issue.
However, when I could afford it and bought a boat capable of living aboard with more than one person, but still capable of single handed, I got the biggest I could afford with headroom in all cabins, so 37' Bavaria. Very comfortable and arguably better for shorthanded sailing than the Eventide, except when parking in confined spaces.
Money is much less of a constraint these days and you can get decent boats with standing headroom (and better performers) for less in real terms than I paid for my Eventide in 1980.
However, when I could afford it and bought a boat capable of living aboard with more than one person, but still capable of single handed, I got the biggest I could afford with headroom in all cabins, so 37' Bavaria. Very comfortable and arguably better for shorthanded sailing than the Eventide, except when parking in confined spaces.
Money is much less of a constraint these days and you can get decent boats with standing headroom (and better performers) for less in real terms than I paid for my Eventide in 1980.
prv
Well-Known Member
I can stand up in about 2'x3' of KS's cabin. If I were not a shortarse it would be less. However, this is the all-important space at the bottom of the companionway where the chart table and galley are. The rest of the cabin is the berths and saloon table where you'd normally be sat down anyway. So I don't even notice that I can't stand up there, because there's no reason to try. It's all about good design.
The longest I've lived on board was only a week, but I don't think headroom would be the limiting factor for a longer stay.
Pete
The longest I've lived on board was only a week, but I don't think headroom would be the limiting factor for a longer stay.
Pete
Topcat47
Well-Known Member
I've sailed in boats with sitting headroom and in those with standing headroom. I'll take the standing headroom every time. It's bad enough having to decide what you want to do before entering the heads. Having to decide this before you go down the companionway is dreadful.
William_H
Well-Known Member
Headroom
I think the question is all wrong. The real decision you need to make is the size of boat. A sub 22fter is likely to not have standing headroom. However it will be cheaper to buy, cheaper to keep and much lighter than say a 28ft or more. The bigger boat will be much more comfortable in rougher water with a greater mass and so easier motion. But of course much more expensive for everything.
So buy the biggest you can afford. I have stuck with a 21fter because it can easily be towed home but it is uncomfortable in rougher water. I can not stand up inside although I can with the hatch open. I am pretty big. I tend to function inside while sitting although it is a bit of a pain accessing the fore area so this tends to be for storage.
A friend has a 21fter which I have sailed which does not have enough headroom for me when sitting on the bunks. That to me is real downer. I find it difficult to get comfortable so watch for that one.
Don't worry about headroom just decide on size of boat. good luck olewill
I think the question is all wrong. The real decision you need to make is the size of boat. A sub 22fter is likely to not have standing headroom. However it will be cheaper to buy, cheaper to keep and much lighter than say a 28ft or more. The bigger boat will be much more comfortable in rougher water with a greater mass and so easier motion. But of course much more expensive for everything.
So buy the biggest you can afford. I have stuck with a 21fter because it can easily be towed home but it is uncomfortable in rougher water. I can not stand up inside although I can with the hatch open. I am pretty big. I tend to function inside while sitting although it is a bit of a pain accessing the fore area so this tends to be for storage.
A friend has a 21fter which I have sailed which does not have enough headroom for me when sitting on the bunks. That to me is real downer. I find it difficult to get comfortable so watch for that one.
Don't worry about headroom just decide on size of boat. good luck olewill
